Everything you need to know ahead of Africa Oye next weekend

We chat with Paul Dunahey ahead of Africa Oye, set to take over Sefton Park next weekend with Europe’s biggest African music festival.

Now in its 24th year, Africa Oyé attracted record crowds of around 80,000 in 2015 to the two-day, family friendly city event. Already announced for the festival are DR Congo’s genre-bending Mbongwana Star, Ghanian highlife legend Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band and kora pioneer, Sona Jobarteh.

The main stage acts will be complemented by the usual eclectic ‘Oyé Village’ featuring an array of foods from across the globe, traders, DJs, dance classes and workshops in the Active Zone, as well as kids entertainment to keep Sefton Park buzzing throughout the festival weekend.

Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney said of the latest reveal “Wesli was someone we looked at bringing to Liverpool in the past but travel issues held us back, so I’m really pleased to confirm him for this year’s event. Baloji is another exciting, genre-mixing act that I know the audience are going to love and Bilan is someone I had the pleasure of seeing perform in Cape Verde at this year’s Atlantic Music Expo. And to round off the announcement with a performer of Akala’s stature is fantastic – one of the most important British rappers of the last decade.”

Africa Oyé will take place on 18th and 19th June in Sefton Park, from 12:30pm until 9:30pm both days. Entrance is FREE for all. For more information, please visit africaoye.com.